Use Just 5–6 Leave Days, Enjoy Over 20 Days of Holidays!
Looking for the Best Way to Use Annual Leave 2026 in Singapore?
Want to turn your limited leave days into long, refreshing holidays? With smart planning, you can stretch your annual leave into multiple long weekends throughout 2026—without burning all your days at once. Based on the official 2026 public holiday release by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM), there are several strategic long weekends you can take advantage of—perfect for short getaways or simply recharging.
Whether you’re planning a quick getaway, a family vacation, or just need time to unwind, this guide breaks down the best way to use annual leave in 2026 for Singapore residents—so you can make the most of every public holiday and enjoy more time off.
📅 Public Holidays in Singapore 2026 (Quick Overview)
Here’s a snapshot of the public holidays that fall on weekdays in 2026:
| Public Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 | Thursday |
| Chinese New Year | Feb 17 & 18 | Tuesday & Wednesday |
| Good Friday | April 3 | Friday |
| Hari Raya Puasa | March 20 | Friday |
| Labour Day | May 1 | Friday |
| Vesak Day | May 28 | Thursday |
| Hari Raya Haji | June 7 | Sunday (Observed Monday, Jun 8) |
| National Day | Aug 9 | Sunday (Observed Monday, Aug 10) |
| Deepavali | Nov 5 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 | Friday |
✈️ How to Maximise Your Leave Days (Month-by-Month)
1. February: Chinese New Year Jackpot
- Dates to Take Leave: Feb 19–20 (Thu–Fri)
- Total Days Off: 6 days (Feb 17–22)
- Leave Used: 2 days
💡 Turn the mid-week Chinese New Year into a full-blown holiday!
2. March: Hari Raya Puasa
- Date: Friday, March 20
- Make It Count: No leave needed—perfect 3-day weekend.
3. April: Good Friday
- Date: April 3
- Take Leave: April 6 (Mon)
- Total Days Off: 4 days (April 3–6)
- Leave Used: 1 day
💡 Great time for a regional escape!
4. May: Double Dip!
- Labour Day: May 1 (Friday)
- Vesak Day: May 28 (Thursday)
- Take Leave: May 29 (Friday)
- Total Days Off: 4 days (May 28–31)
- Leave Used: 1 day
💡 Combine both holidays for two getaways in one month.
5. June: Hari Raya Haji
- Observed Holiday: Monday, June 8
- Use It: 3-day weekend with no leave required.
6. August: National Day Bonus
- Observed Holiday: Monday, Aug 10
- Hack It: Take Aug 7 (Friday) off
- Total Days Off: 4 days (Aug 7–10)
- Leave Used: 1 day
💡 Ideal for a long National Day celebration.
7. November: Deepavali
- Date: Thursday, Nov 5
- Take Leave: Nov 6 (Friday)
- Total Days Off: 4 days (Nov 5–8)
- Leave Used: 1 day
💡 Enjoy the light and festivities with a proper break.
8. December: Christmas
- Date: Friday, Dec 25
- Bonus: Built-in 3-day weekend—save your leave!
🧠 Pro Tips to Stretch Your Leave Further
- Plan early: Book flights and leave requests early—others are planning too!
- Avoid peak fares: Use mid-week holidays to dodge weekend surcharges.
- Mix & match: Use half-days or WFH flexibility (if allowed) to ease into travel days.
- Look at school calendars: If you have kids, align leave with school breaks.
📌 Summary: Most Worthwhile Leave Combos
| Leave Dates | Public Holiday | Total Days Off | Leave Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19–20 | Chinese New Year | 6 days | 2 days |
| May 29 | Vesak Day combo | 4 days | 1 day |
| Aug 7 | National Day | 4 days | 1 day |
| Nov 6 | Deepavali | 4 days | 1 day |
🏝️ Final Thought
With just 5–6 days of leave, you can enjoy over 20 days of well-timed holidays throughout 2026. That’s the power of planning smart, lah—by aligning your leave with Singapore’s public holidays, you unlock long weekends and extended breaks without using up all your annual leave. Don’t be paiseh or wait until last minute—be a little kiasu and start planning now to chope those dream vacations, avoid peak prices, and enjoy a more shiok, balanced year ahead.
